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You prepare your vehicle, home, and other valuables for winter, so why should your ring be left out? You may be surprised by the unexpected ways your ring can get damaged or lost in the winter.

One of the most common risks involves the ring falling off your fingers due to temperature fluctuations. Finger sizes change throughout seasons and tend to shrink during winter due to the body’s vasoconstriction – the narrowing of blood vessels by small muscles in their walls. This process decreases blood flow to the skin, minimizing heat loss to maintain an average temperature in the winter, causing the shrinking of the fingers.

The last thing you want is to lose your engagement ring or damage it any time of the year. Consider the following tips to protect your engagement ring during this chilly season.

Be Careful with Mittens & Scarves

Mittens protect your hands from wind, snow, and water on cold winter days, but they can also present their own unique risks to your engagement ring. Be careful when putting on or taking your mittens off in the winter. If your ring gets stuck to the mittens, it may slide out and get damaged or lost.

Similarly, if you wear fluffy scarves, you may notice some fluffs getting stuck in the prongs or pavé stones. Although this is common, too much fluff can damage the ring and loosen the stone. If you constantly remove fluff from your ring, it may be a sign that the prong is lifted and the stone isn’t secure. Consider taking the ring to your jeweller to fix any underlying issues while being careful not to let your ring touch your scarves or mittens to be safe.

Remove for Winter Sports

It’s important to remove your engagement ring on certain occasions to keep it safe, which involves winter sports, such as skiing, snowboarding, or snowmobiling. If you rock your ring when participating in winter sports, you risk damage like bending the band or knocking a prong which can cause your stone to become loose.

There is also a higher risk of your ring falling off your fingers when your finger shrinks in the winter, and you may not even notice it falling if you’re too distracted. Leave your ring at home or in a safe place before heading out for winter activities.

Wear a Temporary Sizing Coil

Your ring may feel a bit looser in the winter as our fingers contract when they’re cold. Consider wearing a temporary sizing coil to give it a snugger fit. A sizing coil temporarily changes the ring size, allowing you to make the ring smaller for winter months. They are easy to install and comfortable to wear.

If you’re purchasing your first engagement ring in the winter, consider the potential change in size as the season passes. You may need to choose a ring size based on a different ring you have rather than your current size. However, the final decision depends on your comfort and your jeweller’s expert opinion.

When you visit a reputable custom jeweller like Alexis Gallery, their team of specialists can help you determine the best size for your engagement ring. Their knowledge allows them to understand how finger sizes change during the winter and the best solution to ensure you are comfortable with your engagement ring.

Take Ring Off When Moisturizing

Remember to remove your ring when moisturizing dry winter skin, as the lotion can make your fingers slippery, making it easy for the ring to slide off. Frequent exposure to lotions, moisturizers, and other items can also cause buildup on your rock, diminishing its sparkle until it’s cleaned. White gold and silver are susceptible to oils, chemicals, and other sources of moisture, resulting in discolouration. Removing your ring when moisturizing and putting it back on afterwards is a great way to keep your stone looking brand new, even in the winter.